The next flagship BMW 3 Series will be powered by an amazing 450bhp tri-turbo engine...

Get ready for a boom in M cars. The boss of BMW’s M Division, Dr Friedrich Nitschke, has confirmed that a raft of new models wearing the famous badge is on the way – with the M2 to be joined by a powerful M3 and a successor to the M1 supercar.

“Our pace of development must accelerate,” he told Auto Express in an exclusive interview. “We can build more cars, and we can build a wider range of cars.”

The new flagship 3 Series is due in 2014, and will feature a fresh 3.3-litre six-cylinder engine. This is set to get three turbos – one powered by electricity, rather than the exhaust gases – and is rumoured to offer 450bhp. A mix of steel and ultra-light carbon fibre-reinforced plastic in the body will help deliver huge pace.

But as Nitschke revealed, the car will also be efficient. “There will be a bigger focus on very low fuel consumption,” he said. “The new M3 will prove this.” However, this more eco-friendly approach won’t dilute the M Division’s high-performance appeal – as a replacement for the M1 supercar is finally coming close to reality.

This has been on the drawing board for more than 11 years, but only now does technology allow it to deliver the pace drivers would demand. “We have a fantastic history with the M1,” Dr Nitschke said. “The decision on developing this car is open. We’d love to do it.”

There’s no word on engines – but it would need a V10 or V12 to compete with rivals from Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Ferrari. If the project gets the green light, it’s unlikely to arrive before 2016.

The company is also looking at a successor to the ‘breadvan’ – the Nineties Z3M Coupe. “There’s no decision on an M version of the Z4,” added Dr Nitschke, “but this is something we could do easily.”

In addition, he spelled out a keenness for the M Division to “increase the speed with which we launch new models”. A lighter ‘CSL’ version of the new 1 Series M Coupe is on the cards, which could take cues from 2007’s tii concept.

An electric turbo? I'll reserve judgement until I know more details, but the only time I've personally seen something like that is on ebay with those cheezy electric turbo kits.

hadesm5

08-31-2011, 12:26 PM

M2?

Mystikal

08-31-2011, 12:54 PM

^ 1M replacement when the 1-series goes 4-door fwd and the current rwd 1-series coupe/cabrio turns into a 2-series.

fitter527

08-31-2011, 03:37 PM

Fwd :(

MrRWD

09-02-2011, 11:11 AM

With more M Cars coming down the pipe, other than the M5 and M3, it's really going to devalue the M Experience.

It will become like the Chevy SS branding. Stick it on everything including an Impala.

FWD BMW's...... oh boy.

Mystikal

09-02-2011, 12:23 PM

^ I disagree, except for the current X5/X6M debacle. The 1M, M3, M5 and M6 are all unique and each hold their own in their respective classes. Once the SUV's have sold enough to pay for their R&D M should be back on track. The only additional models mentioned in the article are all reincarnations of small/light past models (CSL, M Coupe, Z4M, M1) so how is the brand being devalued?

MrRWD

09-02-2011, 01:22 PM

^ I don't agree though.

The Volume of "M's" being put out, will make them not that special. Thus, devalue that brand.

Having "M"'s for all sorts of models, especially the 1 Series is a mistake. Time will tell on resale value.

Mystikal

09-02-2011, 03:25 PM

In the 80s there were M models of every series but one (3, 5, 6) - only the 7 was spared. Today there are many many many more series and M smartly stays away from half of them (1 non-coupe variants, X1, X3, Z4, 5GT, 7). Excluding the SUVs they have 4 models. 10 years ago they had 4 models. 25 years ago they had 3 models. There's nothing new going on here.

MrRWD

09-06-2011, 01:16 PM

In the 80s there were M models of every series but one (3, 5, 6) - only the 7 was spared. Today there are many many many more series and M smartly stays away from half of them (1 non-coupe variants, X1, X3, Z4, 5GT, 7). Excluding the SUVs they have 4 models. 10 years ago they had 4 models. 25 years ago they had 3 models. There's nothing new going on here.

It's also the volume of M Series cars being produced, not the number of models. They have 5 M Series cars now, and the SUV's being questionable.

M1, M X5, and M X6 should not have been created really....

The M1 was already used.... I've always liked that car.

doogee

09-06-2011, 08:25 PM

Arg why do people say M1? It's a 1M.

noodles101

09-06-2011, 08:43 PM

m1 is the mid engine super car from..like decades ago...
and 1M is the orange vehicle that they just came out with....right?

hadesm5

09-13-2011, 09:45 AM

^ I don't agree though.

The Volume of "M's" being put out, will make them not that special. Thus, devalue that brand.

Having "M"'s for all sorts of models, especially the 1 Series is a mistake. Time will tell on resale value.

A true car enthusiast doesn't care about the "brand value", and instead appreciates that the company is providing excellent cars.

Mirko

09-13-2011, 09:35 PM

I want a lighter and better handling car that doesn't have useless tech in it. I don't care if they make it any faster than current ones. Where can I really use that power anyways? If I go 50km over they crush my car and toss me in jail.

Yeah .. yeah .. I know I am not their target market. Well .. my wallet is but my attitude isn't. lol

MrRWD

09-19-2011, 01:16 PM

A true car enthusiast, will appreciate those special tuned cars like the Type-R, M Series, AMG, Carol Shelby etc. - It doesn't matter what company makes them. A drivers car is a drivers car, especially when it's numbered or not high volume.

When they no longer start being special, due to volume, it's devauled.

A true car enthusiast doesn't care about the "brand value", and instead appreciates that the company is providing excellent cars.

^ This to me sounds more like a Fan Boy, than a true Enthusiast!

I love the E46 M3, because of the performance they able to obtain from that that I6. I also love the Integra Type-R. That is a piece of art as well.

What's the point of having a 1M and a 3M? 135i is enough for that class.

Mystikal

09-19-2011, 03:11 PM

A true car enthusiast, will appreciate those special tuned cars like the Type-R, M Series, AMG, Carol Shelby etc. - It doesn't matter what company makes them. A drivers car is a drivers car, especially when it's numbered or not high volume.

When they no longer start being special, due to volume, it's devauled.

I'm an enthusiast who has a serious fetish for the rare...but that has little to do with being a driver's car. The Miata is still holding the Guinness record for 2 seater convertible sales, but it's arguably one of the top-5 driver's cars ever made. Exclusivity has nothing to do with driving pleasure.

I love the E46 M3, because of the performance they able to obtain from that that I6. I also love the Integra Type-R. That is a piece of art as well.

I also love the E46 M3 and Integra Type-R. BMW sold over 43,000 E46 M3s in North America. Acura only sold 3800 Type-Rs. Where is the exclusivity logic here? By your previous statements, the M3 should be devalued.

What's the point of having a 1M and a 3M? 135i is enough for that class.

The DC2 Type-R and EK9 Type-R were awfully similar, weren't they? I'd bet the demographics of 1M buyers shows an average age difference of 10+ years over the M3.

Blackedout95

09-19-2011, 06:00 PM

By the time my children drive there wil be an M14.

Its hard to believe the world is in financial crisis when shit like this goes on. Who says I need an M2 or I am not buying bmw or I need a fwd or eco turbo etc. Stupid, take your pic small med or large all luxurious, fast or very fast, that should be enough.

SamE30e

09-19-2011, 06:41 PM

It's not a "Tri-turbo".. It's 2 twin scroll turbos and the already used CCM system in the X6M, but not in the 7 series.

There will be a M for every line in the near future. 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, 6 and 7... Yes I said 2 and 4.

jello_g

09-19-2011, 07:06 PM

...There will be a M for every line in the near future. 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, 6 and 7... Yes I said 2 and 4.
At the rate they're going, they'll run out of single digits in the not too distant future. I'll hold out for an "M-zero."

SamE30e

09-19-2011, 09:41 PM

Next year will be big for BMW's line up.

MrRWD

09-19-2011, 11:35 PM

I'm an enthusiast who has a serious fetish for the rare...but that has little to do with being a driver's car. The Miata is still holding the Guinness record for 2 seater convertible sales, but it's arguably one of the top-5 driver's cars ever made. Exclusivity has nothing to do with driving pleasure.

I also love the E46 M3 and Integra Type-R. BMW sold over 43,000 E46 M3s in North America. Acura only sold 3800 Type-Rs. Where is the exclusivity logic here? By your previous statements, the M3 should be devalued.

The DC2 Type-R and EK9 Type-R were awfully similar, weren't they? I'd bet the demographics of 1M buyers shows an average age difference of 10+ years over the M3.

You're missing the point. The number of cars produced is a factor, but more importantly, the number of BMW cars (models) wearing the “M” logo is what matters. The E46 M3, is nothing special really. It could have been a 332i for all we care.

However, I am thankful they built the E46 M3, because it’s a great car. Having owned a 911 4S briefly, I’d take E46 M3, as it’s the lesser evil in terms of reliability. The E46 M3 is a great car!

So, it’s not the number of cars produce, but the number of different models that will wear the “M” logo. Overall volume does have a factor.

It’s like Volkswagen’s “GTI”, or Chevy’s “SS”…. Who really cares.

careless7

09-20-2011, 11:59 AM

^ I don't agree though.

The Volume of "M's" being put out, will make them not that special. Thus, devalue that brand.

Having "M"'s for all sorts of models, especially the 1 Series is a mistake. Time will tell on resale value.

The brand was already devalued with M Sport Package if you ask me. Offering part of the experience for buyers that are too cheap or broke-ass to buy the real deal. Nothing better than ///M badges from pac-mall.

And the 1M earns its badge with unreal performance and a lot of M firsts. I'm currently driving a 1M and it is fantastic, so with the performance and with limited numbers for only one model year, it will have its rightful place in history.

njordao

09-21-2011, 08:12 PM

The brand was already devalued with M Sport Package if you ask me. Offering part of the experience for buyers that are too cheap or broke-ass to buy the real deal. Nothing better than ///M badges from pac-mall.

And the 1M earns its badge with unreal performance and a lot of M firsts. I'm currently driving a 1M and it is fantastic, so with the performance and with limited numbers for only one model year, it will have its rightful place in history.

LOL How can you go off blasting those who can't afford the 'real deal', when you yourself have gone for a 1M instead of the actual M3. The 1M is like cheaping out as well because it's just a little cheaper brother to the actual machine that we know today as the M3. You might as well of bought the 335is and throw an M badge on it, better performance, better car, but deeper in the wallet.

I agree that M will be devalued if they go overboard and M every damn series available. Those who can't afford an M will simply drive the lower model and be happy with it. We're all Bimmer loves, don't hate on those less fortunate.

careless7

09-22-2011, 07:44 PM

LOL How can you go off blasting those who can't afford the 'real deal', when you yourself have gone for a 1M instead of the actual M3. The 1M is like cheaping out as well because it's just a little cheaper brother to the actual machine that we know today as the M3. You might as well of bought the 335is and throw an M badge on it, better performance, better car, but deeper in the wallet.

I agree that M will be devalued if they go overboard and M every damn series available. Those who can't afford an M will simply drive the lower model and be happy with it. We're all Bimmer loves, don't hate on those less fortunate.

I drive different cars nearly every week but nice try buddy. And how can you fault a car that handles better, weighs less, with more torque for nearly $20K less. Yep total poser car yet its faster around the ring than the E46 M3 and the E60 M5 for much less.

Sorry to everyone who bought the "sold out" 1M because you can't afford the M3 haha LOL.

SamE30e

09-22-2011, 08:11 PM

LOL How can you go off blasting those who can't afford the 'real deal', when you yourself have gone for a 1M instead of the actual M3. The 1M is like cheaping out as well because it's just a little cheaper brother to the actual machine that we know today as the M3. You might as well of bought the 335is and throw an M badge on it, better performance, better car, but deeper in the wallet.

I agree that M will be devalued if they go overboard and M every damn series available. Those who can't afford an M will simply drive the lower model and be happy with it. We're all Bimmer loves, don't hate on those less fortunate.